Tom Wylie Yachts Review

Tom Wylie first set up shot under the name of Wylie Design Group in Alameda, California in 1974. With a measure of sailing yacht success already on his resume, the 1971 Nightingale, the 1973 Animal Farm, and the race-winning 31-foot Moonshadow, Wylie was already up and running in the industry. His next projects included a 28 foot sailing yacht, the Hawkfarm, 31 foot racing sloops called the Gemini Twins, the No Go 8 and the 40 foot racer Lois Lane.

Wylie’s design for the avant garde American Express became the only American boat to win the Mini-Transat singlehanded race from England to Antigua. The designer followed with more fleet racers, cementing his reputation as a leader in the racing yacht arena. Wylie moved shop to Canyon, California in 1980 and barely stopped for breath as he expanded his reach with the 65’ cruiser, the Saga, a sailing ship which sailed around the world. Wylie’s production run of a 24-foot sailing craft, the Wabbit, supplied 63 owners with a sporty cruiser complete with cabin.

Tom Wylie’s Wyliecat line, which the designer introduce in the 1990s, features a proprietary rigging system designed for easier singlehanded sailing. The Wyliecat rig allows an extensive range of sail adjustment by using a “choker” system which an individual sailor can handle alone. Recipient of the 2006 Sailing World Boat of the Year for Best Innovation, reviewers praise the stability and handling ease of the Wyliecat 44, as well as its lightweight, simple design.

Pricing

The new Wylie 66 is priced around 2.6 million dollars before customizations. Scarce used Wylie craft range in price from around $4000 for a 1996 17’ Wyliecat, $26,000 for a ’79 34 foot racer/cruiser.

Pros

• Fast and built for racing
• Cat rigging allows single-handed sailing
• Excellent handling, lightweight construction

Cons

• Slim racing design leaves less room for quarters
• Cat rigging performs poorly in calm conditions
• Smaller models not designed for excursion use

Featured Models

Some of Tom Wylie Yachts best-know models include the Moonshadow, the Hawkfarm, American Express, Saga, Wabbit, and the Wyliecat series.

Conclusion

Tom Wylie’s life’s work is centered around speed, handling, and winning sailboats that he has redesigned and refined over the years to expand his Wylie craft line in terms of utility and function. While his early production focused on aerodynamic design and lightweight construction, his later work reflects a concentration on ease of operation as well as expanded interior space. A true innovator in the yachting industry, Wylie’s signature cat rigging system eliminates the necessity for a crew to sail many of his smaller craft. The award and race-winning legacy of Tom Wylie Yachts is one that will stay with the industry well into the future.